He joined the V&A in 1972, holding various roles in the education department and latterly in art conservation, and also had a four-year stint as an assistant keeper at the Tate Gallery's British collection in the mid-70s.

Mr Barrett described his cousin as a modest man who did not like to talk about his own achievements.

'He was always interested in you, and we didn't know about the extent of his publications until after his death', he said.

'His flat was filled with something in the order of 1,500 art books, ranging right across the art history spectrum. It was his passion right until he died.'

Ms Harkin recorded a verdict of death by natural causes after hearing Mr Parkinson, of Tooting, had suffered from coronary artery disease.